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2vSheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

E. WESTON.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N0 MQdel.)

E. WESTON. ELEGTRIC LAMP.

No. 285,451. Patented Sept, 25, 1883.

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uUNrrED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

EDVARD IVES'ION, OF NEVARK, NEIV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE VESTON ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,451, dated September 25, 1883. Application iiledfTuly 1G, 1580. (No model.)

To @Zin/'71.0711) it may concern.:

Be it known that I, EDWARD VESTON, of Newark, in the county ot' Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and ,5 useful Improvements in Electric Lamps, of which the following is aspeciiication, refer ence being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part ot' the same.

My invention relates to that class of lamps Io known as arc-lamps,"7 andis directed prinei pally to maintaining the carbon electrodes at the proper distance apart during the time the lamp is in operation. For this purpose I make use of two clectromagnets of dii'erent electricalresistances, through which the current is caused to pass, the one of low resistance, and included in the main circuit-that is to say, the circuit which includes the carbonshthe other of high resistance, and included in a shunt or derived circuit about the lamp. Vith these electro-magnets I combine an armature or core which, while connected with one ol' the carbons or its carrier, and adapted to adjust its position relatively to the other, as customary heretofore, is in its move ment controlled by and directly dependent upon the counteracting or opposing forces of the two magnets, which vary in accordance with the varying positions of the carbons relatively to one another. IVhen the carbons are in contact or approach one another too closely, and the current through the lamp consequently becomes too strong, the electromagnet in the main circuit acts to separate the same. NVhen, on the other hand, the distance between the carbons becomes too great, the current passing through the lamp becomes lessened by reason of the increased resistance, and the shuntmagnet, owing to the energiz- 40 ing action of the increased current passing through the shunt-circuit, acts to cause the carbons to approach one another. I thus adj ust the carbons to and from one another by the dili'erential action ol:l two electro magnetsthe one of lowresistance forming a part of the main or lamp circuit, the other, ot' higher resistan ce, forming a part of a shunt or derived circuit; and it is in this feature that my invention mainly comprised.

bon holder, B".

In the accompanying drawings I have rep- 5o resented an electric lamp embodying my invention in one of its forms. In this lamp I have also embodied an improved i'orm of carbon-holder and other features which conduce to the practical utility of the lamp, and will 5 5 be hereinafter described.

Figure l is a front view of an electric lamp embodyingmy improvements. Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of the same, taken at right angles thereto. Fig. 3 is a central vertical 6o section ol' the feed-regulating mechanism; Fig. 4L, a horizontal section thereof, taken just below the upper magnet.

Similar letters ot reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures.

Fig. l illustrates a lamp-frame of simple construction, consisting, in the main, of side bars, I I, properly insulated, and cross-pieces G and A-thc former widened at its center to form a supporting-base for the fecd-regulating 7o devices, the latter provided with a carbonholder of improved construction, the nature of which will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

Secured withina cover or frame upon the 7 5 cross-piece G, as above stated, are the devices for effecting the proper relative adjustment and feed of the carbons. These consist, in the main, of an electro-magnet, F, wound with course wire of low resistance, included in the 8o main or are circuit. An electromagnet, E, wound with fine wire, and consequently of high resistance, which forms part of a shunt or derived circuit about the arc, a pivoted armature-lever, D, provided with an armature 85 or armatures, N and O, and a clutch or gripping device, C, serving as a means of connection between the armature and the upper-car- In the present instance the two magnets above described are shown, the 9o main magnet above, the shunt directly, under it and below the armature-lever, this arrange ment of the parts named being selected/as a convenient and practicable illustration of the principle involvedinmyinvention. Themain 95 magnet F is secured to the frame in a verti cal position by an extension of its core F, which is screw-threaded on its interior and iitted' in a cylindrical shell, F2, in which it is arranged to be adjusted by means of the long adjusting-screw F3.

In line with thel main magnet the shuntmagnet E is fixed by substantially equivalent means-viz., an internally screw -threaded shank, E', a cylindrical shell, E", forming a stationary support, and a screw, E3, vfitting in the shell E and engaging with the shank E.

To permit the ready adjustment of the two magnets with respect to the armature-lever D, the top of electro-magnet F is provided, as shown in Fig. 2, with lugs F, in which are inserted screws that bear against the frame H, and serve as guides that prevent the said magnet from being twisted or turned while the cross-piece G is extended up around the bot-v tom of magnet E for the same purpose.

The-armature-lever D is pivotedv at' its end to a stationary upright, D. .At a point upon itv so as to be most powerfully affected by the magnets E and F are fixed the armature or armatures N and O. These latter, together with the corresponding cores of the magnets, might be of any ordinary construction; but I prefer the form shown in Fig. 1., where N and O designate cylindrical projections from aplate or plates fixed to the lever D, the cores of the two magnets in this case being tubular, so that the said projections may be drawn in and out of them, thus permitting a greater range of motion without diminished attractive power a result not attainable to a suiicient degree for the successful operation of an electric lamp by the ordinary flat armature.

The upward and downward movements of the lever D are limited by the set screws 'l and H', respectively, the former passing through the frame H, the latter through a support, H2, secured thereto. i

In order to prevent too rapid movement of the lever D, I employ a retarding device, preferably a dash-pot, It, the piston-rod of which is connected with the end of the lever, or an extension therefrom.

A tension-spring, P, may also be connected to the free end-of the lever, or to an extension therefrom, and to one arm of an elbow-lever, Q, pivoted to a post or standard, Q. A setscrew, Q2, bearing against the other arm of the lever Q, provides for easily and nicely adjusting it to regulate the-tension of the' spring l?. The purpose of the spring is mainly to assist the shunt-magnet in drawing the armature away fr'om the main magnet F.

rIhe lever D is constructed with an opening or ring, through which the carbon-carrier B* passes. Attached to the lever by a link, Cz, is a hinged or swinging plate or lever, C, having an opening through which the carbon-carrier slides, and the sides of which grip the carrier when the plate or lever is tilted,'thus serving `as a clamp to raise or lower the carrier, or allow the same to slip for feeding, according to the relative attractive forces ofthe feed-controlling magnets, and the consequent -rier, B, near its end.

my invention.

position with reference thereto of the arma-` ture-'lever D.

To insure the proper electrical contact Abetween the frame o f the lamp and the upper car- 7o bon, I employ a flexible, conductor, U, composed, generally, of a number of fine braided or plaited wires, which is connected both to the frame and to a collar, U2, on the upper carbon-carrier, the former connection being conveniently obtained by a screw, U', on the yoke G, the latter by a screw, U, which provides for an easy means of detaching the conductor from the carrier.

B5 is a shield or deflector, of metal or suitable material, iixed to the upper-carbon car-` It is designed to protect the carrier from the dust and other impurities that would otherwise be carried up and deposited upon it by the ascending current of heated air from the neighborhood of thearc.

'Immediately below the deilector is shown' the upper-carbon holder, consisting of a socket, B', for the reception of pencil B, a pivoted lever, B2, and a binding-screw, B3.

In Fig. l is shown in section an improved form of holder or socket for the lower carbon. This consists of a hollow rod, A', an extensionpiece, A2, and a lever, nA3, which may be adjusted by means of a screw, A, to clamp and hold or to release the carbon. The hollow rod A is provided with a flange or disk, A5. The rod A .passes through a large opening in a circular flanged plate, A6. The disk A5 rests above it, and another disk, A7, connected by a screwthread or otherwiseto the rod A', bears against the lower side of the flanged plate A, and provides for securing the rod Al to the'plate Ai in any position into which it may be adjusted. The plate A6 is provided with radial pins b, which may be slipped over springs AB, extending from a yoke or cross-bar, A, to secure the said rod A detachably to it.

I have now described the mechanical elements comprising the operative portions of Before proceeding to a description of the operation of the same, I desire to make the following statements, an acquaintance with the principles involved in which is requisite to an understanding of the invention:

It is well known that the distribution ofthe Aelectric current between two branches of the same circuit depends upon the respective resistances of the branches, and is inversely proportional thereto. vantage of in the construction of electric lamps by employing a shunt-magnet of high resistance in the` place of a retractile spring for an armature actuated by an electro-magnet `in the main circuit, and operating to effect the release of the means for impelling 011e of the carbons toward the other. A second application of the same principle is illustrated in a lamp in which a helix in the main circuit and a reversely-coiled helix in the shuntcircuit are employed to vary the attractive IOO IIO

This has been taken adf force ot' a magnetic core for an armature connected with one of the carbon-carriers, and thus control the position of same and its attached electrode relatively to the other. In such cases, however, themechanism connected with the carbon-carrier is only actuated by the electro-magnet in the direction to cause it to bind and raise the carbon-carrier, while gravity, or a i'orcc such as a spring, is constantly applied as a retractile power, which asserts itselt' when the attraction ol" the main magnet becomes weakened or neutralized. By my invention, however, Lprovide i'or actnating the mechanism supporting the carbonholder positively in both directions, as will more clearly appear from the i'ollowing description ot' the operation of the devices or their equivalents composing the lamp:

Assuming that the carbons arevin contact, and that the lamp is included in an electric circuit from a powerful generating source, if the circuit vbe closed, the current enters by wire K to binding-post J. Thence by wire L it passes to and through the coilsv of magnet F, and thence by the frame of thelamp and ilexible conductor U to the carbons, and out by side bar, I, post J, and wire l. Before reaching the magnet F the circuit branches, one branch being that j ust traced, the other being by a fine wire, M, through coils of magnet E, and thence to line. As soon as the circuit is completed the magnet F becomes active and raises the armature-lever D, causing clamp C to bind and lii't the carrier I3AL until the length otl the arc i'ormed bythe separation of the carbons causes the magnet E to become sutiicientl y active to check the 'further movement of the armature-lever. As the ends of the pencils are eaten away by the action ot the current an increasing resistance is interposed in the main circuit and diverts a corresponding amount oi" current through the coils of magnet E. The power of t-his latter begins, in consequence, to increase, while that oi' magnet F decreases. Lever D is therefore drawn downward, and with it the carbon, until the position ot' the lever and clamp allows the carbon-carrier to feed or slip, upon which the magnet F reasserts itself, andthe original conditions are again established. To assist the shunt-magnet E an adjustable spiral spring', I), is employed, as above set forth, and to prevent too rapid movement or vibration o1" t-he lever D, aretarding device-i n this case a dashpot, R-is connected therewith.

It will thus be seen that the armature-lever, for the purpose ot' adjusting the carbons relatively to one another, is positively moved in both directions and controlled by the varying attractive forces, or, in other words, by the dii'i'erential action ot' two electro-magnetsthe one in the main or lamp circuit, the other in a shunt about the lamp.

Itis to be observed that adjustingjf as used in this connection, implies not the i'eeding downward ot' the upper carbon as it is consumed alone, but the changes of position relatively to the other carbon, which arc necessary for maintaining a light ot' nnvarying intensity. y

Itis obvious that the mechanical arrange` ment, structure, and disposition of the parts which conduce to this result can be considerably varied without departure from my invention. rIhe two magnets may, tor instance, be

. placed both. opposite the same i'ace oi' the ar nniturelever, but on opposite sides ot' its t'ulcruin, or, in lieu ot' electro-magnets and armatures, as described,,helices and cores can be used. I wish it therefore to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the details herein described by reference tothe aecompanying drawings in illustration of my invention. The construction of the lamp may be varied in many particulars, though that shown herein will be 'found a highly eiii cient and usei'ul iorm. rIhe constructions and combinations not herein claimed, but shown or described, I reserve the right to make the subject of other applications i'or Letters Patent; nor do I herein specifically claim electro-mag nets or solenoids arranged in the manner herein shown, in combination with a clutch actuated by the same and adapted to grip and move the carbonholder to establish and regulate the length ofthe arc and to i'eed the earbon, as I make the same subject-matter oi' another application for Letters Patent, but

Vhat I claim as ot' my own invention is- I. In an electric lamp, in combination with the carbon electrodes, two solenoids or electro-magnets, one ot' which has a coil of low resistance, forming a part of the lamp-circuit, and the other has a coil of higher resistance, forming a part of a shunt or derived circuit about the lamp, by the differential action oil which the carbons are adjusted relatively to each other.

2. rlhe combination, in an electric lamp, with the carbon electrodes, of two opposed electro-magnets or helices, one in the main circuit and the other ina shunt or derived circuit, and a movable armature or its equivalent, arranged to beactnatcd positivelyin both directions by the difterential action ot the said magnets i'or adjusting the carbons relatively to each other, substantially as described.

3. rllhe combination, in an electric lamp, with the carbon electrodes, oi'two electro-magnets, one in the main circuit and the other in a shuntor derived circuit, and an armature adapted to adjust, by the diii'erentizil action of said magnets, the carbons relatively to one another, the electro-magnets, either or both, having hollow cores. and the armature being provided with projections capable of entering the said hollow cores, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, in an electric lamp, with the carbon electrodes, oi" two opposed eleetromagncts or helices, one inthe main circuiinand the other in a shunt or derived cirA IOO iro

cuit, a movable armature or its equivalent arranged to be actuated positively in both directions by the differential action of the said magnets for adjusting the carbons relatively to each other, and a retarding device-such as a dash-pot-connected with the said armature, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, in an electric lamp, with the carbon electrodes, of two opposed electro-magnets or helices, on'e in the main and the other in a shunt or derived circuit, a Inovable armature or its equivalent arranged to be actuated positively in both directions by the diierential action of said magnets for adjusting the cai-bons relatively to each other, and a spring exerting an influence upon said armature in the same direction as that exerted upon it by one of the said magnets or helices, substantially as specified.

6. rlhe combination, in an electric lamp, with the carbon electrodes, of two opposed electromagnets or helices, one in the main cir cuit and the other in a shunt or derived circuit, an armature or its equivalent arranged to be actuated positively in both directions by the differential action of the magnets, a lever supporting the armature, a retarding device-'- such as a dash-pot-connected with the lever or its armature, and a spring for exerting an iniiuence upon the armature in the same direction as one of the magnets, as herein set forth. Y

EDWARD WESTON.

\Vitnesses: v I

i EDWIN H. BROWN,

T. J. KEANE. 

